Sky Q to launch without a satellite dish in 2018

In what amounts to another milestone for ‘broadcast’ TV, Sky has announced plans to launch Sky TV without the need for a satellite dish.

The move will see millions of homes, currently unable - or unwilling - to install a satellite dish able to enjoy the entertainment on offer through Sky. Delivered through a box over broadband, the service is expected to launch in the UK in 2018.

Following a strong response from customers to Sky Q, there are now more than one million boxes in around 600,000 homes in the UK, says Sky. According to stats gathered by the company, Sky Q is also changing viewing habits, with customers watching 10% more TV compared to those with Sky+ as, they surmise, customers benefit from a more visual interface alongside personalised recommendations. Sky Q is set to get even better this year with the introduction of voice search, greater personalisation and the ability to record six shows while watching a seventh live.

Sky is also launching the new My Sky app. With more and more people turning to their phones to manage their life admin, the app will allow customers to check their broadband speed, review their monthly bill on the move, change how and when they pay and get help and support with simple step by step videos and articles.

Sky is also gearing up for another busy year on screen, with a new drama released every month. This includes eleven dramas from Sky Original Productions including Fortitude premiering tonight (26th Jan – let’s hope it’s better than Season 1), Sky’s most ambitious project to date, Britannia, as well as Riviera, Tin Star, Gomorrah and Guerrilla. Plus exclusive access to the biggest US shows from Showtime and HBO including Billions, Twin Peaks, and Game of Thrones, and the latest films with a new premiere every day on Sky Cinema including Finding Dory, Deadpool, Absolutely Fabulous and X-Men: Apocalypse.

Stephen van Rooyen, Sky UK’s Chief Executive, said: “This year is about giving our customers even more quality, choice and value. We’re planning to launch our Sky TV service without the need for a satellite dish for the very first time, giving millions more homes the chance to enjoy TV with Sky Q. We are continuing to build our European TV production studio, with 100 original series going into production. And with innovations like the My Sky app, we are finding new ways to make our customers’ lives simpler.”

We await more details from Sky on the IP delivery of Sky Q and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn’t mean you have to use Sky Broadband to avail yourself of the service.

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